Final Touches

A few extra elements will improve your raised bed garden’s health and productivity.

Add Vertical Supports

Install a trellis or stakes along one side of the bed. This is usually the north side, to avoid casting shadows on other plants. Grow vining plants like cucumbers, pole beans, or indeterminate tomatoes vertically. Growing upward saves valuable garden space and improves air circulation, which helps prevent disease.

Extend Your Growing Season

You can protect your plants from light frosts with a simple row cover or cold frame. These tools allow you to plant earlier in the spring and harvest later into the fall. A row cover is a lightweight fabric you drape over hoops placed in the bed. A cold frame is a bottomless box with a clear top that acts like a miniature greenhouse.

Keep Records

A simple garden journal helps you learn from your experiences. Note what varieties you planted, when you planted them, and your harvest dates. Record any pest problems or successes. These notes provide valuable information for planning next year’s garden.